Showing 1-88 of 88 items found in Outdoors & Play

Belk Park at 234-acres is the largest park in Wood River.Located on Rock Hill Road at the eastern edge of the city. In addition to the 18-Hole Championship Golf Course, the present facilities include a lake with fishing, picnic areas, a ball field, children’s playground equipment, shelters (which can be rented by visiting City Hall), woodland and open space. Belk Park has a clubhouse for rent with a nice-sized multipurpose room and seating for 168.

If you want to play golf at a course that gives you impeccable value and leaves you with a golf story your buddies will drool over, look no further ... From hills 'n' hollers, to 80 foot bluffs, and a winding creek intertwined throughout the course, The Woodlands is known for it's incredible layout and smooth-rolling greens.

Come golf with a little bit of history at the oldest family owned golf course in the area. Cloverleaf has been a family owned and operated golf course since 1931. Cloverleaf provides the perfect golf getaway for all golfers. The course provides a sufficient challenge for seasoned golfers to have a good time, but also makes a great course for new golfers to learn the game.

For over 30 years, Rolling Hills has been providing an enjoyable golf experience and exceptional value for thousands of golfers. Family owned and operated, this 164 acre course facility offers an 18-hole Par 72 course and a 9-hole par 29 Executive course. Rolling Hills offers complete golf, food and beverage services throughout the day. Carts, clubs and practice balls are available for rent. Open daily 7 a.m. to dusk.

Designed around a winding creek and elevation changes, The Woodlands is known as a “shot-makers” paradise. Enjoy breathtaking views from the clubhouse which overlooks the 18th green. The banquet facility can seat 250 and is an ideal location for receptions, parties and more. The Red Barn, also on the golf course property, is available to rent for outdoor weddings.

Scenic views are the centerpiece of this 7,000 yard, 18-hole Arnold Palmer designed golf course. The deceptively open design places a premium on accurate iron play in order to get close to the pin. This course is challenging enough for the skilled player but enjoyable for the recreational golfer as well.

The Nature Institute is a non-profit land conservation and environmental education organization based in Godfrey, IL. Since its founding in 1980, The Nature Institute's board and staff have worked to foster an awareness and appreciation of the natural world through preservation, restoration, and education. The Nature Institute also owns and manages over 450 acres of protected land, such as the Olin Nature Preserve, the Mississippi Sanctuary, the Kemp and Cora Hutchinson Bird Sanctuary, and the Heartland Prairie Project at Gordon Moore Park. These natural areas provide unique places for the public to experience the diversity of the Riverbend area with its hardwood forests, prairies and wetlands. The preserves are open to the public and free to use from dawn to dusk.

Arguably this park has one of the bet views of the Mississippi River from the bluffs nestled in the historic Christian Hill District which is filled with 1800s era architecture. Grab your picnic lunch because the view is incredible from this little park. Fall in love with the view of the river and even say "I Do" under the gazebo for an unforgettable afternoon.

The 18-hole "Bridges" course at The Bridges Golf Club facility in Columbia, Illinois features 6,676 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. Designed by Gary Kern, the Bridges golf course opened in 1996.

The Hills Golf Club at McKendree University features some of the finest greens in Southern Illinois. Our staff welcomes public play as well as McKendree University students, faculty and staff. Whether you're a low handicap golfer or a new golfer about to play your first round, The Hills Golf Club at McKendree University features 18 holes that will provide a challenge to every golfer.

Located in Columbia, Illinois, the Columbia Golf Club offers two 18-hole golf courses open for people of all ages and ability. Opened in 1968, the Columbia course, designed by Al Linkogel, features 5,970 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71.

All it takes is one trip to Fairfield Golf Club, whether for a tournament or just a relaxing round of golf, and we promise you will be back. This challenging layout is like no other course in the region and will make you hit shots you rarely get the opportunity to try.

This 18-hole golf course opened in 1962. Triple Lakes has outstanding AB™ Quickstand Bermuda fairways, bent grass greens, and a combination of tall fescue, bluegrass, and rye grass roughs. Our tee boxes are a combination of bermuda and zoysia grass. The course has normal play hazards which include sand bunkers and water. We feature a putting green where you are welcome to practice your putting. The course is surrounded by wildlife and groves of trees with a country atmosphere.

River Lakes golf course is located right across the Jefferson Barracks bridge in Columbia, Illinois. This 18 hole golf course has Bermuda grass fairways and tee boxes. The greens are bent grass. The course is well groomed and provides an enjoyable experience for all level of golfers.

Fox Creek Golf Course is an18 hole course which offers all levels of golfers a real challenge to their playing skills. Rolling terrain, wooded bluffs, winding creeks and seven lakes make this course scenically beautiful as well as challenging.

Grab your skates and hit the ice any time of the year at this indoor ice arena. Didn't bring your skates? No problem. Rent a pair and take a few laps around the rink. It's the coolest place in town all year round!

Timmermann House is a three room bed and breakfast. Rooms include private baths, with turkish towels, plush robes, Comfy company sheets and light weight comforters, large closets, flat screen TV/DVD player and a full homemade gourmet breakfast is served daily. Timmermann House also has its own “Farmers Market” Starting in April with asparagus going to strawberries and early to midsummer all types of vegetables and fruits, ending in the fall with pumpkins.

Lighted tennis courts, playground, sand volleyball courts, baseball, softball, and soccer fields. a 1.5 mi walking/running path, concession stands, picnic pavilions, a large lake. The Midwest Salute to the Arts is held every year here in August.

Tee it high and let it fly into open fairways on one of the Midwest's best golf courses. The front nine is a Scottish-style links layout with native prairie grasses and wild flowers. Grand oaks line perfect fairways on the backside with truly one of the best 9-holes in the St. Louis area. Expect smooth rolling large greens when you play Far Oaks that are consistently rated the best public course greens in the area, you won't be disappointed. Complementing the golf course, the Clubhouse Grill features a casual club setting with delicious lunch options.

Three Springs Park is a multi-purpose facility with a lighted softball and baseball field that can be converted in to smaller fields for a total of six. Also at the park are tennis courts, soccer fields, basketball courts, and volleyball courts. a half-mile walking trail and playground equipment round out the amenities.

Mystic Oak Golf Course and the Black Swan Restaurant are open to the public. Mystic Oak Golf Course gives the golfer a feeling that is not found anywhere else near Waterloo. We feature 18-holes of golf that is ideal for all levels of golfers and is designed to help you improve your game. Our idyllic settings will let you step away from life for a little while and focus on your golf passion.

Arlington Greens Golf Course consists of an 18 hole, par 72 facility with a length of approximately 7,200 yards. The terrain is gently undulating to near level. Each hole has yardages for gold, blue, and white tees that point directly down the fairway with little misdirection. Fairways are irrigated with a double row irrigation system which has recently been upgraded. Fairways consist almost entirely of Bermuda grass.

More than 150-miles of trails line the rural, suburban, and scenic landscapes found throughout Madison and St. Clair Counties in Illinois. Put it this way, you will personally run out of fuel before you run out of trails! The interconnected system of trails that crisscross the region have been built utilizing partnerships and collaboration amongst multiple public agencies, but no contribution has been more significant than that of both Madison and St. Clair County Transit Districts. Each of the transit districts have made trail building a top priority, so new trails are always coming online. Be sure to check out MEPRD's online trail map to see the latest developments!

A 3,000 ft. wheelchair-accessible pathway at lake level and wood-chipped trails wind through forested areas. An elevated walkway spans the wetlands and two observation towers, a wildlife viewing blind, an outdoor amphitheater and classroom.

We invite you to experience Midwestern golf in its finest form. Test your shot-making skills on a course built to challenge golfers of all ages and abilities. Enjoy the magic of a course that stays with you long after the final hole is engaged and beckons you back for another round. This 18-hole golf course was designed by Pete Dye.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches"). Several are located at the Rivers Project and interested individuals can attend this free 1 hour program on Saturdays, June through August,to learn more and get involved in geocaching.

Founded in 1991, The Orchards Golf Club in Belleville, Illinois features a 18 hole championship style golf course, restaurant and banquet facilities. Open to the public, we also offer golf lessons, memberships & specials with friendly service and affordable prices.

Designed by golf legends Pete Dye and Bob Goalby, Yorktown offers an 18-hole lit par 3 golf course. Yorktown is the perfect place for fundraisers, office outings, family time or just working on your short game. We offer a driving range (which will have new mats and balls for the 2015 season) a large putting green and a cozy clubhouse that offers sandwiches, snacks and a fully stocked bar.

Beautiful. untouched nature preserve which way originally purchased by the Knobeloch family in 1874. After a family disagreement, the land was auctioned off to the nature conservancy and then sold to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

This site is on the Granite City Canal, near the Lock and Dam on the Mississippi River. Tri City Port is a duty-free foreign port, as well as a loading facility for farm and other products being barged on the river.

The 18-hole, par 72 Stonewolf is one of only four Jack Nicklaus Signature courses in Illinois. That means the man, the legend himself, Jack Nicklaus took an active hand in the total design and construction of this magnificent golf course.

This expansive park features picnic areas, baseball and softball fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and sand volleyball courts. The centerpiece of the park is an old train depot, a full-size caboose, and a train car that can be reserved for groups.

Acorns Golf Links is located in Waterloo, Illinois featuring 6,701 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72 . The course rating is 72.3 and it has a slope rating of 125. You will not find subdivision golf at Acorns; just nature, beautiful scenery, challenging design, and you. Making Acorns the premier public course to test your game, have fun with good friends, or to get away from your daily hussle and bussle. Acorns features zoysia fairways, five tee boxes; matching every level of golf and large bent grass greens. Designed by William Ebeler, the Acorns golf course opened in 1997.

This 18-hole golf course opened in 1990. Legacy is ideally suited for seniors, juniors and beginning golfers. This is due to the short track (6000 yards from white tee box) and flat terrain. There are seven lakes and ponds that add a degree of difficulty to the course.

Annbriar is an 18-hole, par 72 course. There is always a new reason to enjoy a day of golf and fun times with family and friends at Annbriar Golf Course. Golf is the ideal way to enjoy the outdoors and the company of others. Annbriar also welcomes golfers and all other patrons to our Smokehouse Restaurant, which is open daily. Our Smokehouse Restaurant is the perfect place to host tournament dinners, family parties, meetings, and other events.

The Columbia Not-So-Secret Training Loop is a 63 mile trail of medium to difficult level trails, where local roads interlace across a seemingly endless valley of floodplains, levees, bluffs, and sheer cliffs hundreds of feet high. Start in Columbia where you'll roll over hills that add up to about 3,500 feet of elevation gain. Coast through quaint Mayestown, where store signs read "Open by luck or accident". You won’t need to leave much time for the fast return trip along the riverbank, where tailwinds can push you home at 30 miles an hour.

Indian Mounds Golf Course, formally know as Tee-Up Golf Course, is located in Fairmont City, Illinois. It features 3,381 yards of golf with 5 par 4’s and 13 par 3’s. Designed by Dave Murray and Jan Freiberg in 1995, our course features narrow, tree-lined fairways, severely undulating bent grass greens in addition to water hazards on many holes. The signature hole is #7, a 183-yard, par 3, requiring a tee shot to a peninsula green.

Welcome! Hidden Lake Winery and Banquet Center, located in rural Aviston, IL, is situated in “Silent Forest,” a wooded parcel of land abounding in local lore. Our winemaking began in 2004 and is influenced by the German heritage of the farming families who settled this part of Illinois. At Hidden Lake Winery, our goal is to offer a variety of wines that will satisfy many different palates. Our wines are produced with locally-grown fruit and bottled here in our cellar. Guests can enjoy a glass of wine (or other beverage if desired) in a tranquil setting with old friends, or perhaps with new ones.

The Shrine has 200 beautifully landscaped acres of gardens and devotional areas, including the Outdoor Amphitheatre, Shrine Church, Lourdes Grotto, Stations of the Cross, Millennium Spire, the Visitors Center with a restaurant and gift shop, and the Shrine Hotel.

Extending 20 miles from Alton to Pere Marquette State Park, the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail runs parallel to the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway along IL Route 100, as well as the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The route is completely paved and takes cyclists through the towns of Elsah and Grafton. Comfort stations are available at Piasa Park, Clifton Terrace Park, Elsah, Grafton Visitors Center, Grafton Harbor public restroom and Pere Marquette State Park. This is a great ride for cyclist of all ages, including families looking for a free day of fun!

The 4,000 seat Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater hosts a variety of events from community festivals to live concerts throughout the summer months. With the Mighty Mississippi River as a backdrop, bring your blanket and spread out for an evening under the stars. Check out our website for a list of upcoming events.

Surfing in Illinois? Yes! The FlowRider creates a perfect wave for surfing and body boarding. Water slides, a lap pool, the lazy river, a sandy play area and "Monsoon Mountain" make for a family adventure.

Get the best view of Alton and the Mississippi River from eight stories in the air atop the Melvin Price Locks & Dam. Take a free guided tour and see towboats and barges as they push their way through this incredible structure. It's also a great spot to eagle watch in the winter.

This 170-foot-tall bottle that resembles a Brook's Catsup Bottle served as a water tower for the catsup manufacturer after being constructed in 1949. A popular roadside attraction, it makes for a great photo op.

Illinois' only United Nations World Heritage Site. This 2,200-acre site preserves the central section of the largest prehistoric Indian city north of Mexico. An Interpretive Center presents a coherent account of this sophisticated prehistoric culture. Climb Monk's Mound, see the film and life-size village. Don't miss annual events that focus on Native American culture.

Cruise along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, where the Mighty Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois Rivers converge. The 33-mile byway begins in Hartford, leading you through Alton and bends along the forested river bluffs to its end point in Grafton, at Pere Marquette State Park.